Study ranks three Texas lakes among 'dirtiest' in U.S.

A new study ranks three Texas lakes in the top 10 dirtiest lakes in the U.S.

The study was released by Lake.com, a vacation rental platform that used data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, which is part of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Texas lakes were in West Texas, North Texas and near Austin.

Lake J.B. Thomas in West Texas ranked as second dirtiest in the nation because its dissolved oxygen measurements were below acceptable levels.

Lake Wichita in North Texas was named third dirtiest for smelliness, dissolved solids and other issues. Lake Buchanan near Austin placed sixth worst, also because of dissolved oxygen measurements.

Florida topped the “cleanest lakes” list with six out of the top 10.

An advocate responded to the study's findings about the lake in his area.

The findings indicate Lake Wichita has an odor, contains high volumes of total dissolved solids, an unusually high pH of 9.9, and chemical analysis shows water near the dam is cloudiest of all the 276 U.S. lakes sampled between Jan. 1, 2023, and May 28 this year.

The pH level indicates the lake is acidic.

The assessment is one that Lake Wichita supporter David Coleman does not agree with and finds the term “dirtiest” misleading.

Coleman is a member of the Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee that has worked since 2013 to improve the lake and its image. Much of Wichita Falls' Circle Trail has been extended around the lake, a kayak launch was constructed, veterans memorials were erected on the shore and the parking lot at Lake Wichita Park was overhauled.

Coleman said the study was done at a time when the water was very low due to a lingering drought.

“If the same measurements were taken right now with the lake full, it would be very different, especially the pH, dissolved solids and turbidity,” he said.

He also said because the lake does not provide drinking water, it is not maintained as a reservoir and has accumulated clay and silt, which make the water brown or cloudy.

Many of the lake’s chronic problems are due to its low water levels.

The city is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to possibly dredge and deepen part of the lake on a cost-share arrangement, which could alleviate many of the problems.

Coleman said the city may know in September if the plan will move forward..

Construction of Lake Wichita was completed in 1901 as a water supply for Wichita Falls, but the needs of a growing city soon outstripped the small reservoir’s capacity and other reservoirs were constructed.

The lake served as a major recreational and tourist draw for years before silt, drought and algae took their tolls and the lake slipped into decline.